Compositor&#39;s gauge



Au 25, 1964 w. c. HESTER, JR

COMPOSITORS GAUGE Filed Aug. 9, 1962 IN VENTOR WAITUS c. HEST R, JR. BY

"WM/W A TTORNE Y5 3,145,476 COMPGSITORS GAUGE Waitus C. Hester, Jr., 914 N. Iverson St, Alexandria, Va.,

assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, of one-half to Laurence C. Turner, Jzz, Wheaten, Md. Filed Aug. 9, 1962, Ser. No. 215,898 4 Claims. (Cl. 33-76) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in printing and lay-out tools and more particularly to a multi-purpose compositors gauge.

Today, in the graphic arts, with greater emphasis being placed upon printed advertising copy in all communications media, especially newspapers and magazines, many novel and unusual lay-outs are required. One of several such unusual lay-outs becoming quite popular is the so called run-around lay-out. In such copy, the focal point is an irregular outline cut such as a photograph or drawing, around which type is to be set so that the type lines start or end about the periphery of the cut.

Another interesting type-setting technique wherein the instant invention may be profitably used is the setting of type in a pattern such as a solid circle or diamond.

Previous to the present invention, it was impossible to accurately determine where such type lines would fall and the process was strictly of the trial-and-error type. Such difliculty was increased if special effects were desired such as a change in type size in different lines. Any error made by the mark-up man would result in the line being overshot or undershot, thereby going into the cut or stopping or starting far too short of it. Such errors impose a great economic burden on the job, as not only the overshot line, but all succeeding lines of the copy have to be reset. The costs mount up as this increases the time spent by the Proofreader, the lines that are too long or short must be sawed off, the mark-up man must remark the line possibly changing the type size, the operator must reset the line, and the roofreader again must read the line for errors. This can often double the work for a single layout.

It is such problems as these which keep effective ads such as run-arounds from all but the most expensive publications. With the gauge of the present invention these problems are completely solved and all guesswork in setting up such copy is eliminated. With this tool, a markup or layout man can tell the exact length to set each line of type and each following line which goes beside the cut which is to be followed or run-around. Even if each succeeding line is to be set in a different size of type, accuracy of line length can be accomplished with uniformity, thereby creating a neater looking copy which is of course more pleasing to the eye. Chance of overshooting or undershooting is eliminated and costs lessened.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a layout gauge enabling the user to ascertain the exact length to set a line of any given type size around an irregular or regular shaped cut or the like.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a lay-out gauge which will enable the user to set type accurately and evenly in special patterns such as a circle, diamond, and triangle.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a lay-out gauge which will accommodate removeable scales for any size of printing type and which scales can be changed within a matter of seconds.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a tool which will eliminate guesswork in setting up so called run-around lay-outs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a gauge for lay-out use which is reversible in use and can be used to measure type lines on either side of an irregular cut.

3,145,476 Patented Aug. 25, 1964 Other objects of the invention are to provide a lay-out gauge for compositors bearing the above objects in mind, which is of simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture, and is at all times efficient and accurate in use, and which Will reduce time and hence costs in setting up unusual type lay-outs.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of the compositors gauge forming the subject matter of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-section taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged plan View of the gauge in use showing the mark-up of type lines about a cut.

Reference is now made more specifically to the drawings wherein like numerals designate similar parts throughout the several views and wherein the compositors gauge is designated generally at 10.

The gauge comprises two main components; the slide bar 11 and the scale frame 12. The scale frame is generally rectangular in shape and is preferably molded of one piece of transparent hard plastic, Plexiglas, or the like. Two parallel slide grooves or channels 13 and 14 are formed adjacent one edge of the frame and run vertically from the top to the bottom of the frame. A relatively large rectangular scale-receiving depression 15 is formed in the frame adjacent the other edge thereof. This depression is formed totally within the confines of the frame so that it is surrounded by the thin horizontal walls 16 and 17 and the vertical walls 18 and 19. A round hole 20 is formed centrally in the bottom of the depression for a purpose later to be described.

At one edge a retaining flange 21 is formed to overlie channel 14 and yet is spaced slightly therefrom by edge wall 22. While this construction is shown as integral with the scale frame, it may alternately be constructed from several pieces of plastic, one for the flange and one for the wall, which are cemented or heat welded together.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, edge wall 18 is undercut as at 23 to form a lap construction for sliding engagement with the slide bar 11 later described. This undercut must be accurately parallel with the channels 13 and 14.

When the slide bar 11 is removed from the scale frame 12, a scale plate 24 may be received in the depression 15. Several scale plates may be provided to cover all sizes of type conventionally found in the shop, and the scales may be printed on both sides of the plates so that fewer plates are needed. The plates are slightly smaller in dimension than the depression 15 and are retained therein from shifting by the four walls 16, 17, 18, and 19. With the slide bar in place, as later described, the plates can not fall out even if the gauge is turned about. The scale plate when in place remains below the top surface of the frame walls in order to decrease wear thereon by the sliding slide bar. This will preserve the indicia. Each scale plate side has imprinted or otherwise placed thereon a plurality of scales running vertically, each indicative of a different type size, such as pica, 9 point, 10 point, 11 point, etc. These scales indicate by dashes and numbers (see FIG. 3) the location of the bottom of lines that particular type size when set.

In order to change scales it is only necessary to remove the slide bar and insert a finger through the hole 20, manually lifting the plate out of its depression 15. The plate is then turned over, or a new plate inserted to cover the other sizes of type. It is anticipated that plates will be furnished covering all sizes of type in use. It is possible to merely slide bar 11 down and remove the scale without completely removing the bar.

As an alternative, the scale may be permanently imbeded in the scale frame 12, thereby requiring that several such frames be furnished. While such construction would be more costly, it would provide a more durable construction especially if several type sizes only are used.

The slide bar 11 of the instant invention is preferably cast or molded of a single piece of plastic material or the like which is transparent. If desired, however, the several portions of the slide bar may be individually formed and joined together as by gluing or heat welding. Bar 11 comprises a flat straight edged rectangular bar 30 having preferably two parallel cut away areas 31 and 32 adjacent the two edges and to each of which is attached a pica scale 33. The inner edge 34 of bar 30 is adapted to fit slideably in the undercut 23 and the scale 33 has its index or zero indicia spaced slightly outward from this edge so that it coincides with the top edge of wall 18. The slide bar 11 also includes a line-up bar 35 having parallel side edges and which is the same width as bar 30. This lineup bar is spaced slightly above bar 30 by means of projection 36 which is of greater thickness than bar 35. The inner depending edge 37 of this projection coincides with the index or zero edge of scale 33 and in use forms a vertical runner which slideably contacts the outer edge of wall 18.

It can thus be seen that the line-up bar which is either integral or fixedly attached to bar 30, will slide over the top of the scale frame 12, the edges of the bar serving as indicators for the scales beneath.

Two parallel slides 38 and 39 are formed or affixed to the bottom of the line-up bar 35 as shown in FIGURE 1 and fit within the slide grooves or channels 13 and 14. Due to the slides, their channels, the retaining flange 31, and the lap construction at 23, the slide bar is restrained from twisting or lifting up and can only slide vertically along the scale. This construction assures accuracy in measuring and reading of the scales.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, the gauge is setup for marking-up type lines to be formed to the right of a out. If it is desired to mark-up to the left of a cut, the slide bar 11 is slid off of the frame 12 or slid down near the bottom of the frame and the scale plate lifted and turned 180 degrees about. The frame is then inverted and the slide set in place.

A typical use of the compositors gauge of the present invention is shown in FIGURE 3, wherein it is desired to space the beginning of type lines about a cut 40 on a page 41. For convenience 13 point type has been chosen for this particular layout and that scale is the fifth one from the scale plates left edge. The slide bar 11 is shown in position for mark-up of the 11th line of type, as the 11 mark is shown directly beneath the upper edge of the bar in the 13 point scale. With the bar in this position, the mark-up man or compositor can read across the pica scale 33 and see that he can run the line to about 14 picas in length without danger of overshooting and yet keep a short neat margin from the cut 40. It should be noted that the zero or index mark of the pica scale 33 and the inner edge of wall 18 are directly on the right hand margin of the type lines to be set. After the mark-up for this line is measured, the slide bar is moved down to line 12 on the 13 point scale and the process repeated. If desired, the edge can be set one pica from the margin and readings taken up to the cut itself.

The gauge can also be used by the mark-up or layout man to determine the size and face of type to be used in any given run-around advertisement. To accomplish this the operator uses the gauge to determine the number of lines of any given font size which will go into the given printed area and by adding the different lengths for each line, he can determine how many picas of type space are required. The character count of each given font of type will indicate to him if the chosen face and font size will fit within the space allowed, or whether the same face or font size can be used in a heavier or bolder or more condensed face of the same type family. It will also indicate when the operator must change to a smaller or larger size of type entirely.

If it is desired to employ the gauge to set type wherein the completed printed matter fills a circular area, the size of the circle is determined and a line drawn down the sheet to indicate the center. The gauge is placed with the zero mark of the horizontal pica scale 33 on this line. The operator then proceeds to measure the length of each line in the chosen font size to the edge of the circle. The measured length of each of these lines is doubled, regardless of chosen font size, and the operator will then know the exact length to set each line in the circle or other chosen pattern.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the drawings and detailed disclosure are to be construed in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense, since various modifications and substitutions of equivalents may be made by those skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A compositors gauge for measuring line lengths comprising; a scale frame, said frame having a straight plane guide edge and having a scale receiving recess formed therein; an elongated slide bar having a first portion slideable over the face of said frame and a second portion extending outwardly therefrom and in line therewith, a vertical runner formed at the juncture of said first and second portions, said runner being slideable along said frame guide edge; means to restrain said slide bar from horizontal movement; a removable scale plate received in said scale recess of the frame, said scale plate having a plurality of scales thereon representing different type sizes, said scales each having indicia running vertically indicating the bottom of lines of that type size; a pica scale on said second slide bar portion, said pica scale running horizontally with its zero indicia overlying said guide edge; and a finger-receiving hole extending through the bottom of said scale receiving recess for facilitating removal of said scale plate.

2. A compositors gauge as defined in claim 1, wherein the scale frame and the slide bar are formed of trans parent material.

3. A compositors gauge for measuring line lengths comprising; a rectangular scale frame, said frame having a straight plane guide edge, a slide channel formed in said frame adjacent the edge opposite said guide edge, said channel being parallel to said two edges; an elongated slide bar having a first portion slideable over the entire face of said frame and a second portion extending outwardly therefrom and in line therewith, a vertical runner formed at the juncture of said first and second portions, said runner being slideable along said frame guide edge, a slide member depending from and transverse to said first portion of said slide bar and adapted to be slideably received in said slide channel; a retaining flange spaced from said scale frame and overlying said slide channel to restrain the slide bar from upward movement; a plurality of scales, each representing a different type size in said frame, said scales being in sideby-side relation and having indicia running vertically indicating the bottom of lines of that type size; a pica scale on said second slide bar portion, said pica scale running horizontally with its zero indicia overlying said guide edge; and said second portion of said slide bar overlying each of said scales and serving as an indicating means.

4. A compositors gauge for measuring line lengths comprising; a rectangular scale frame, said frame having a straight plane guide edge, a pair of parallel slide channels formed in said frame adjacent the edge opposite said guide edge, said channels being parallel to said two edges; an elongated slide bar having a first portion slideable over the face of said frame and a second portion extending outwardly therefrom and in line therewith, a vertical runner formed at the juncture of said first and second portions, said runner being slideable along said frame guide edge, a pair of spaced-apart slide members depending from and transverse to said first portion of said slide bar, each adapted to be slideably received in one of said slide channels; a retaining flange spaced from said scale frame and overlying one of said slide channels to restrain the slide bar from upward movement; at least one scale representing a given type size in said frame, said scale having indicia running vertically indicating the bottom of lines of that type size; and a pica scale on said second slide bar portion, said pica scale References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 975,689 Greenwood Nov. 15, 1910 1,045,695 Goldwater Nov. 26, 1912 1,175,448 Hess Mar. 14, 1916 1,232,675 Friel July 10, 1917 1,330,353 Smith Feb. 10, 1920 1,623,117 Holland Apr. 5, 1927 3,014,646 Gabriel Dec. 26, 1961 

3. A COMPOSITOR''S GAUGE FOR MEASURING LINE LENGTHS COMPRISING; A RECTANGULAR SCALE FRAME, SAID FRAME HAVING A STRAIGHT PLANE GUIDE EDGE, A SLIDE CHANNEL FORMED IN SAID FRAME ADJACENT THE EDGE OPPOSITE SAID GUIDE EDGE, SAID CHANNEL BEING PARALLEL TO SAID TWO EDGES; AN ELONGATED SLIDE BAR HAVING A FIRST PORTION SLIDEABLE OVER THE ENTIRE FACE OF SAID FRAME AND A SECOND PORTION EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM AND IN LINE THEREWITH, A VERTICAL RUNNER FORMED AT THE JUNCTURE OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND PORTIONS, SAID RUNNER BEING SLIDEABLE ALONG SAID FRAME GUIDE EDGE, A SLIDE MEMBER DEPENDING FROM AND TRANSVERSE TO SAID FIRST PORTION OF SAID SLIDE BAR AND ADAPTED TO BE SLIDEABLY RECEIVED IN SAID SLIDE CHANNEL; A RETAINING FLANGE SPACED FROM SAID SCALE FRAME AND OVERLYING SAID SLIDE CHANNEL TO RESTRAIN THE SLIDE BAR FROM UPWARD MOVEMENT; A PLURALITY OF SCALES, EACH REPRESENTING A DIFFERENT TYPE SIZE IN SAID FRAME, SAID SCALES BEING IN SIDEBY-SIDE RELATION AND HAVING INDICIA RUNNING VERTICALLY INDICATING THE BOTTOM OF LINES OF THAT TYPE SIZE; A PICA SCALE ON SAID SECOND SLIDE BAR PORTION, SAID PICA SCALE RUNNING HORIZONTALLY WITH ITS ZERO INDICIA OVERLYING SAID GUIDE EDGE; AND SAID SECOND PORTION OF SAID SLIDE BAR OVERLYING EACH OF SAID SCALES AND SERVING AS AN INDICATING MEANS. 